Improvement in wheat-fans



J. WHITE.

Grain Cleaner.

Paterited April 1, 1851.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JESSE WHITE, OF BARNESVILLE, OHIQ.

IM PROVEMENT IN WH EAT-FAN S.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 8,013, dated April 1,1851.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JESSE \VHITE, of Barnesville, in the county ofBellmont and State of Ohio, have invented certain new Improvements inMachines for Elevating, Conveying, and Cleaning Grain; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of myimproved apparatus, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings,which form part of this specification, and in which Figure 1represents a view in perspective of my apparatus, and Fig. 2 is avertical section of the head of the same.

My invention consists in effecting any one or all of the operations ofelevating, conveying, and cleaning grain by means of a current of air,produced artificially, with sufficient velocity to carry the grain alongwith it through the tube or other channel through which it is forced. I

In the apparatus represented in the accompanying drawings the current ofair is produced by means of a centrifugal fan A, whose wings also act asheaters to scour the grain and pulverize the smut. A trunk Bis adaptedto the fan-case to convey the grain in any required direction.

In the example represented in the drawings, the trunk proceedsvertically from the fancase to the apartment in which the grain is to bedelivered. The trunk here terminates in an enlarged cap or head 0. Thiscap is fitted within with inclined racks or ladders aa. The lowerextremity of the head is fitted with spouts Z) I) for the discharge ofgrain, and its upperextremity is fitted with sliding doors 0 d for thedischarge of the lighter portions of the impurities carried upward bythe blast. A hopper-frame e is erected at the side of the fan to supporta hopper F, in which the grain to be elevated, conveyed, or cleaned isintroduced. From this hopper the grain is fed to the eye or opening ofthe fan-case by means of ashoe g, to which a vibratory motion iscommunicated by a pin 2', projected from a disk 71 on the fan shaft andacting through the intervention of a shaking-leverj and cord. Theshaking is effected in part by aspring 70, Which draws the shoe in onedirection, while the pin draws it in the other. The shoe is fitted witha riddle Z, by means of which the larger impurities which are mingledwith the grain are removed before it enters the fan.

The grain to be cleaned and elevated is placed in the hopper F and isfed therefrom by the shoe 9 into the eye of the fan, which is put inrapid motion by means of a belt encircling a belt-pulley secured to itsshaft. The grains entering the eye are beaten by the wings of the fanand are carried upward with the air drawn in at the eye through thetrunk to the head 0.- The ascending grain, here' striking against thebars of the racks to a, is deflected from its direct course, while atthe same time the velocity of the air is checked by the enlargement ofthe head, thus allowing the cleaned grain to fall at the sides, whenceit is discharged by the spouts b b. The lighter particles are stillcarried upward, and as the currents of air are weakened by the continuedenlargement of the head are discharged according to their respectivedensities through the openings in the faces, while the finest particlesare carried through the open top of the head. The rate at which thegrain is fed to the fan is varied by limiting the stroke of theshaking-lever. This is effected by means of a cord m, which is tightenedor slackened by turning a pin to which it is secured.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination of the fan, air-trunk, and head, constructed andoperating substantially in the manner and forthe purpose hereindescribed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JESSE \VI'IITE.

Witnesses:

JAMES 0. NEW, JOSEPH OXLEY BAss.

